Rating: 
Summary: AWESOME!
Review: If you love the mini-series Pride and Prejudice, you MUST get this book!! It gives a lot of behind the scenes info that adds a whole new dimension to the series. Get it! You'll be glad you did!
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Summary: Behind the scenes at P&P
Review: If you loved this miniseries, you'll love this behind-the-scenes look at the making of it. You have costume notes, where the scenes were shot, how everything was set up, pictures of the cast in "real life" and bios of the main characters. There are also production stills and much more for anyone who loved this A&E show.
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Summary: All I needed to know about BBC's P&P, I learned it from...
Review: If you own BBC's P&P on video/dvd and see it again and again without getting ever tired, this book can be the answer to all your curiosities. Fun-fun guidebook with lots of pictures and resources.
Rating: 
Summary: A Must-Have For A&E P&P Fanatics
Review: If you own the video of A&E's Pride & Prejudice, and practically have it memorized, this is the book for you. A fascinating description of how this masterpiece was brought to life and an in-depth look at all the work that goes into producing a six hour "film". I particularly enjoyed the explanations of the details involved in the ball scenes. There's a first rate interview with Colin Firth and tons of great photographs. The only reason I'm not giving this book 5 stars is, for my money, they should have included more interviews with the cast. Otherwise, it's a fine book and will be enjoyed by anyone who loved the production.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: If you're a Pride and Prejudice/Jane Austen fan, or even just a Colin Firth afficionado, get this book. Informative, entertaining and a good companion to the P&P tv series on DVD or on video.
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Summary: A GREAT book on making P&P, a good book on behind the scenes
Review: My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed Sue Birtwistle's production of Pride & Prejudice and wanted to know more about it. This book is a very excellent book about behind the scenes and in particular about the making of Pride & Prejudice. I never realized all the work that goes into a movie. I'm glad this is a book instead of a video, because they packed a lot of info into the book which couldn't have been covered in a 30 minute video production. If you enjoyed the production, you'll also enjoy the book. And, don't worry, it didn't spoil the screenplay for me (for instance, I didn't mind knowing trivial facts about the filming--such as the fact that sometimes the food-dishes were three days old and smelly!). I think I'm even more amazed at how well P&P was done after knowing more behind the scenes information. I gave the book 4 stars, instead of 5, because I thought the book was a little choppy. There seems to be a general flow from section to the next, but there was little transistion. I think the writing could have been a little more polished in places. But, overall it's very good. And it's packed full of pictures! We found ourselves wanting to know more!
Rating:
Summary: A ravishing companion to an absolutely ravishing film.
Review: Regardless of what prompted you to fall in love with the the sumptuous BBC/A&E production of PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, you'll love this companion book, which fills in the background to an almost unprecedented degree. Written in chatty style by the producer, Sue Birtwistle, and script editor Susie Conklin, the book begins with the very first idea (in 1986) of bringing one of the most loved books in the English language to the screen once again, concluding with the Christmas wedding of Eliza Bennet and Mr. Darcy. The six-hour, six million dollar production very nearly brought England to a standstill during the weekly broadcasts, as an estimated 40 million Brits were glued to the telly to see this (then) one-hundred-seventy-eight year old book brought to life. Almost no detail was allowed to be missed by the scrupulous inspection of the production crew. A few items were anachronistic, but calculatedly so; most notably, the billiard table, and Mr. Darcy's "cool-off" swim. Each member of the technical staff -- director, casting, costumes -- speaks in his/her own voice, giving reasons for each particular choice made. Even the horse ridden by Mr. Darcy was auditioned. Contemporary pictures were used as much as possible to provide accuracy in costume and hairstyle. Meticulous attention was given to the dancing and the music, of which there is an abundance. Such minor considerations as the number of musicians employed at each dance venue exemplify the care taken with the production. Equally so, the food (of which there was more than enough to make the actors as well as the table groan) was specially prepared from recipes of the time by the appropriately-named chef for the series, Colin Capon, who specializes in period food for the BBC. The book abounds with color photos, delineating in great detail how reality-based this production really was. In the end, however, it is the broad shoulders of Colin Firth as Mr. Darcy upon which the success of the production rests. As the physical embodiment of the absolutely perfect Regency hero, he smolders wonderfully through the first three hours, sounding very like the young Richard Burton, when he does speak. A female of any age can easily be forgiven for wishing his liquid, dark and expressive eyes, as he surreptitiously follows Eliza Bennet around the room, would gaze at her in just that way. In perfect stillness, those eyes express the depth of his longing for Eliza, as well as his bewilderment by that longing, unsuitable as he deems her to be as a marriage partner. Eventually, it is her sparkling intelligence and ready wit that win him to her, but only after she has brought him to his knees by refusing his first arrogant proposal. (Mr. Firth candidly explains how he arrived at that scene, in the ten-page chapter nine, "A Conversation with Colin Firth.") Jennifer Ehle as Elizabeth was perfectly winsome and charming with her 'fine eyes', a beautiful smile, and an obvious intellect, not readily apparent in her three younger sisters. Although the book doesn't specifically say so, attention must also have been paid during the casting process to those young ladies who were, perhaps, rather more well-endowed in the bosom department. The necklines of the various gowns are treacherously low, in some cases, which, when coupled with the very vigorous dancing, could make one understand the necessity for the close chaperonage of young women of the Regency. Not to mention those nearly skin-tight 'unmentionables' worn by all the young men! We should all concentrate on wishing for another such production, especially if it would include the estimable 'Mr. Darcy'.
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Summary: Much better than I had envisioned
Review: Since I have become completely and uncharacteristically obsessed with this movie, I decided to order this book even though I was afraid it may take the magic out of the A&E production by showing the background reality and details of making the film. But I have found that this is not the case. The book gives really good insights into the characters, especically Mr. Darcy, and I found it facinating to read about the hidden motivations and feelings as interpreted by Colin Firth and especially, Andrew Davies, the screenwriter. Really good. But my plea to the producers - please, please do a sequel even though I know you'll not have Jane Austen's help. If you read the reviews under the video section you know that you have a built-in audience who would be willing to pay a lot to see more of this beautiful production.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent gift for Pride and prejudice's lovers
Review: The book is introducing the making of the BBC television series of the classical novel--Pride and prejudice. Inside the book, there are numbers of beautiful pictures of scences, actors and actresses. And it also shows the whole way of the making process of the film no matter the most tiny detail that the little tools used or clothes, background music etc. It's wonderful for lovers of Pride and prejudice and wouldn't eager put it down if start read the first page of it.
Rating:
Summary: a lovely companion to the bbc miniseries
Review: There is no denying that Sue Birtwistle's production of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice is an exquisite adaptation of one of the finest novels in English literature. The cast is magnificent, the script knows when to be faithful and when to adjust, the music is lovely, and the settings are lush perfection. Knowing all this, one does wonder about the many other people who brought this fine work to fruition. (If you have the DVD Special Edition, you may have met some of these individuals in the featurette "The Making of Pride and Prejudice".) This book is absolutely loaded with pictures and photographs that cover every aspect of the work behind-the-scenes and in front of the camera, from location scouting to casting, music and choreography, costumes, makeup, filming and post-production. I especially enjoyed the long conversation with Colin Firth (Darcy), the head shots of the actors (who sometimes look very different than one expects -- Jennifer Ehle with blonde hair comes to mind!), the typical day's schedule, and the locations map. I learned a lot about this production and filmmaking in general. This book is interesting, informative and very entertaining. If you like the book or the miniseries, you should enjoy this volume very much.
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